The number of millionaires in Scotland has soared over the past five years, according to new research.

Figures obtained by financial giant Barclays show there are now 48,000 millionaires living in Scotland, which amounts to a 41% increase in just five years.

Experts say the wealthy are being driven to the country by a healthy financial services sector and a “thriving” entrepreneurial scene.

Barclays has drawn up a UK Prosperity Map which ranks Scotland 10th out of 12 regions, with London in first place and Wales and the north-east trailing the table.

The index takes into account numbers of millionaires, average annual pay, the percentage of households giving to charity, business survival rates and exam scores.

Edinburgh and Aberdeen were ranked among the top UK cities for average earnings, with the financial and oil and gas sectors driving high wages.

Scotland’s average annual salary is behind only that of London and the south east at £23,626, according to the research.

Chris and Colin Weir are among Scotland’s newest millionaires after they won £161million on the Euro Millions lottery in 2013.

The increase has been mirrored across the UK, where the number of millionaires has increased by the same amount.

Experts say the UK-wide increase has been driven by booming house prices and returns in equity markets – in addition to higher wages and employment rates.

A surge in entrepreneurs across the country is also cited as a contributing factor, with third-place Cambridge particularly benefiting from the growth.

Longer-term, growth in millionaires is expected to return to more normal levels, with a 9% increase in the UK expected by 2025.

John Godfrey, a regional director of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, said: “The 41% increase in the number of millionaires since 2010 has been driven by factors including a healthy financial services sector and a thriving entrepreneurial scene.

“Recently we have seen an increase in the number of clients in Scotland who have made their fortune by selling their businesses, having managed them successfully through the recession. We expect the Scottish entrepreneurial scene to continue going from strength-to-strength in future.”